Thanks for the input and verification Robbie. I may look into the powder coat at a shop up in Sheboygan Falls, or I might try my hand at a home pearlescent job if I can get a spraybooth set up. I can live with 6 or 7 speed so no issue there as long as it stays functional. I've also got a Shimano 600 group I saved from a large frame that wound up destined for the SS/Fixie world. I might try that if the 105 doesn't play nice.

(I should probably take this discussion outside of this thread so as not to clutter this one up too much. )